As I was reading the account of Jesus bringing his friend Lazarus back to life in John 11, I was reminded once again that Jesus waited two full days to make the journey back to Bethany after hearing the news that Lazarus was gravely ill. Of course, Jesus knew that Lazarus was already dead by the time he received the message that was sent from Martha and Mary. And yes, waiting two more days would indeed remove any doubt that the man might perhaps be in a coma, making Jesus’ upcoming miracle and the revelation of his power and authority as the Son of God all the more undeniable.
But I think there’s something else here worth considering.
When we look back at Jesus’ very first miracle in John 2, when he was at the wedding feast in Cana with his mother, we remember Mary informing Jesus that the hosts had run out of wine. Note the similarities in Jesus’ reaction to the news from his mother with his reaction to the news of his friends’ illness: “Woman, why do you involve me?” Jesus replied. “My hour has not yet come.” (v.4)
And then we look at John 7, when Jesus’ own unbelieving brothers were persuading him to go to the Festival of Tabernacles in Judea to reveal his works to his disciples there, telling him, “No one who wants to become a public figure acts in secret. Since you are doing these things, show yourself to the world.” Notice his reaction: “You go to the festival. I am not going up to this festival, because my time has not yet fully come.” (Vv.3-8)
Isn’t it interesting that in both instances involving his family members that Jesus initially refuses, stating that it wasn’t his time; and yet he turns the water into wine as his mother requested, and he ends up going to the Festival of Tabernacles just as his brothers had suggested.
And so in connecting these two events with Jesus’ delay in going to Bethany to see Lazarus, John reveals two very important things about Jesus: 1- He is not prone to doing things due to being pressured, but rather by taking initiative; and 2 – Jesus does things his way and in his own good time.
So John is warning us, albeit in a subtle way, that instead of us wanting Jesus to respond according to our way and our timing, we would be wise to let him work out things his way and in his good timing.
As J. I. Packer once said, “Wait on the Lord’ is a constant refrain in the Psalms, and it is a necessary word, for God often keeps us waiting. He is not in such a hurry as we are, and it is not his way to give more light on the future than we need for action in the present, or to guide us more than one step at a time. When in doubt, do nothing, but continue to wait on God. When action is needed, light will come.”
Today’s meditation:
Lord, thank you for your patience with my impatience. Help me to remember that your ways are better than my ways and that your timing is perfect.
Former Blackout Artist 